Kensington Market is a distinctive multicultural neighbourhood in downtown Toronto, Ontario. The Market is one of the city's oldest and most famous neighbourhoods, and in November 2006, it became a National Historic Site. Kensington Market was slowly founded in the early twentieth century by eastern European Jewish immigrants and some Italians, who vacated "The Ward", an overcrowded immigrant-reception area between Yonge Street and University Avenue, in large numbers after around 1910. It became a cluster of densely packed houses, and was one of the poorer areas of the city. It became notable for the open air market, reminiscent of those in Europe, that covered the streets of the area. Kensington was also known as "the Jewish Market". In the 1960s there were plans to tear down the densely packed small houses and replace them with large apartment style housing projects, as was done to neighbouring Alexandra Park. These plans came to an end with the election of David Crombie as Mayor of Toronto. Crombie was strongly opposed to the massive urban restructuring plans that had been in vogue in previous decades. Today the neighbourhood is a noted tourist attraction, and a centre of Toronto's cultural life as artists and writers moved into the area. Land prices in the area have increased sharply, but despite its increased appeal to professionals, Kensington still remains a predominantly working class, immigrant community.

How to get to Kensington Market Neighborhood

Go to Spadina subway station and take the tramway towards the Chinatown. Get off at College street, then walk one block south and one block west.

Last edited by Parent on Wed May 28, 2008 7:13 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Map of Kensington Market.

Pictures by Parent within 4 kilometers of Kensington Market Neighborhood.

Neighborhoods Nearby Kensington Market - Pictures by Parent

Chinatown Neighborhood by Parent. This is one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. It is centred around the intersection of Dundas Street West and Spadina Avenue, and extends outward from this point along both streets. It has grown significantly over the.. Distance from Kensington Market: 0.2km SEE, 12 pictures.

Discovery District Neighborhood by Parent. The Discovery District is an area of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada that is noted for its concentration of hospitals and scientific research facilities, particularly in biotechnology. The district is roughly bounded by Bloor.. Distance from Kensington Market: 1km NE, 28 pictures.

Entertainment District Neighborhood by Parent. The Entertainment District is an area in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada with about 300 night clubs. Located immediately west of University Avenue, the majority of the night clubs can be found on Richmond Street West. The.. Distance from Kensington Market: 1.1km SE, 35 pictures.

Little Italy Neighborhood by Parent. Little Italy, sometimes referred to as College Street West or College and Clinton, is a district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is well known for its numerous Italian Canadian restaurants and businesses. The district is centred.. Distance from Kensington Market: 1.2km W, 24 pictures.

Queen`s Park Neighborhood by Parent. Queen's Park is an urban park in the Downtown area of Toronto. Opened in 1860 by Edward, Prince of Wales, it was named in honour of Queen Victoria. The park is the site of the Ontario Legislature, which houses the Legislative.. Distance from Kensington Market: 1.2km NE, 8 pictures.

Cityplace Neighborhood by Parent. CityPlace is the name given to a large section of former railway land in Downtown Toronto, Canada. The term is more recently being used for a large multi-tower condo development near the Toronto harbourfront and central business.. Distance from Kensington Market: 1.5km SSE, 16 pictures.

Financial District Neighborhood by Parent. The Financial District is a business district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, within the downtown core. It is the main financial district in Toronto, and is the financial heart of Canada. It is bounded roughly by Queen Street West.. Distance from Kensington Market: 1.5km SEE, 16 pictures.

Dundas Square Neighborhood by Parent. Yonge-Dundas Square (commonly called Dundas Square) is a public square in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located on the southeast corner of Yonge Street and Dundas Street. It was opened to the public in November 2002,.. Distance from Kensington Market: 1.6km E, 19 pictures.

Koreatown Neighborhood by Parent. The Toronto Korean Business Area, known more generally as Koreatown (or Korea Town), is centred along Bloor Street between Christie and Bathurst Streets. Also known as "Little Korea", Koreatown came into prominence.. Distance from Kensington Market: 1.6km NW, 21 pictures.

The Annex Neighborhood by Parent. The Annex is an affluent neighbourhood located east of the Koreatown and west of Yorkville. It has traditionally been home to many of the University of Toronto's faculty, as well as housing the university's student body. It is.. Distance from Kensington Market: 1.7km NNW, 14 pictures.

Yorkville Neighborhood by Parent. Founded in 1830 by entrepreneur Joseph Bloor (after whom Bloor Street, one of Toronto's main thoroughfares, is named), the Village of Yorkville began as a residential suburb. Its Victorian-style homes, quiet residential streets,.. Distance from Kensington Market: 1.9km NNE, 30 pictures.